Minimum Legal Drinking Age in US too high?
In the US, the Minimum Legal Drinking Age twenty-one has been a highly debated matter for years, because of various contributing factors. Whereas several individual states claim that the beginning of adulthood, at eighteen, is an appropriate age for alcohol consumption, one must also take in account that underage drinking increases the fatality rate of alcohol-related accidents and criminal behavior, but also affects the brain of a developing adolescent making the group more likely to become alcoholists.
The establishment of the US Minimum Drinking Age (MLDA) dates back to the year 1984 where President Ronald Reagan signed the National Minimum Drinking Age Act on July 17 firstly unifying and raising the drinking age to 21 in all 50 states. Its goal is it to effectively combat drunken driving. According to the law any state that would lower the MLDA to eighteen will face a 10% shortcut of federal funding. However since
…show more content…
Health awareness campaigns for example are a fantastic way to get informed. While alcohol education programs that advocate abstinence have been proven ineffective, interactive education programs have had greater success in changing one’s drinking habit as can be found in a study from New Zealand. Another aspect are the laws. The US needs stronger regulations for ID checks to prevent minors to enter clubs where drinks are served.
To conclude, alcohol usage before the age of 21 has a variety of negative effects on adolescents, since their body handles it differently leading to a destructive behavior and a higher risk of accidents with fatalities. It is simply irresponsible. Furthermore it lowers one’s academic performance which is of utmost importance for an adolescent. Taking everything from above into account the United States of America should not lower the current Minimum Legal Drinking Age to